Shloka 20
Sandhi–Vigraha in Āpada: The Mouse and the Cat (सन्धिविग्रहापदि—मूषकमार्जारसंवादः)
शिष्ट्यर्थ विहितो दण्डो न वृद्धयर्थ विनिश्चय: । ये च शिष्टान् प्रबाधन्ते दण्डस्तेषां वध: स्मृत:,दण्डका विधान दुष्टोंक दमनके लिये है, अपना धन बढ़ानेके लिये नहीं। जो शिष्ट पुरुषोंको सताते हैं, उनका वध ही उनके लिये दण्ड माना गया है
śiṣṭyartha vihito daṇḍo na vṛddhyartha viniścayaḥ | ye ca śiṣṭān prabādhante daṇḍas teṣāṁ vadhaḥ smṛtaḥ ||
El castigo se prescribe para mantener el orden de los justos y de los bien conducidos, no como artificio para acrecentar la propia riqueza. Y a quienes hostigan y oprimen a los virtuosos—la muerte misma es recordada como el castigo que les corresponde.
कायव्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Daṇḍa (punitive authority) is justified only as a dharmic instrument to protect social-moral order and the virtuous; it must not be used for the ruler’s profit. Severe punishment, even execution, is sanctioned for those who violently oppress the righteous.
In the Shānti Parva’s instruction on rājadharma, the speaker states a governing principle: punishment exists to safeguard śiṣṭa conduct and restrain wrongdoers, not to enrich the authority; those who persecute the virtuous are deemed deserving of the ultimate penalty.